The operation. From October 13 to 23, 2026, Quebec's Environment Ministry is running a "capture-vaccinate-release" operation against raccoon rabies in Montérégie. According to its October 8 news release (in French), teams set cages to catch raccoons and skunks, vaccinate them, then release them on the spot. The area covers about 40 km² in five towns on Montreal's South Shore. The goal: stop the disease from spreading into urban areas and toward the island of Montreal.
What residents should do. If you live in the area, keep your pets indoors or supervised so they don't end up in a cage. Don't go near the cages and never free a captured animal: the teams check them every day. You can also help by giving them access to your yard or telling them where you see raccoons.
How to recognize a vaccinated animal. Released animals wear an ear tag and a mark of non-toxic paint that fades over time.
After a bite or scratch. Rabies is fatal and can pass from animals to humans. If an animal bites or scratches you, or you come into contact with its saliva, wash it with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes, even if it looks minor, then quickly call Info-Santé 811. If it's a pet, write down the owner's contact information. Also have your own pets vaccinated against rabies by a vet and keep their shots up to date.
A rule to know. In municipalities where raccoon rabies cases have been confirmed, it's prohibited to move or relocate live raccoons, striped skunks, foxes and coyotes. Disease tracking and the other interventions are described on the page about raccoon rabies surveillance operations.
The background. This operation builds on the one from May to July 2026, which vaccinated more than 3,500 raccoons, and on the distribution of more than 1.5 million vaccine baits in the Eastern Townships, Montérégie and Centre-du-Québec between April and September. Quebec has had a plan to fight the disease since the first case was detected in 2006.
